““Jaws of Life”Jaws of Life”

Hurst tool invented by George Hurst inHurst tool invented by George Hurst in19711971

For freeing racecar driversFor freeing racecar drivers It “snatched” people from the “Jaws ofIt “snatched” people from the “Jaws of

Death”, thereby calling it the “Jaws ofDeath”, thereby calling it the “Jaws ofLife”Life”

Hand SignalsHand Signals

Communications between operator of toolCommunications between operator of tooland operator of the power unit is critical.and operator of the power unit is critical.

Hand SignalsHand Signals

ByBy--pass valve ONpass valve ON (pressurize the system)(pressurize the system)–– Arm extended, fingers closed, thumb pointingArm extended, fingers closed, thumb pointing

upwardupward

Hand SignalsHand Signals

ByBy--pass valve OFFpass valve OFF (depressurize the system)(depressurize the system)–– Arm extended, fingers closed, thumb pointingArm extended, fingers closed, thumb pointing

downward.downward.

Hand SignalsHand Signals

SHUTSHUT--DOWNDOWN the systemthe system–– Hand in front of the neck, with fingersHand in front of the neck, with fingers

extended, moving hand back and forth.extended, moving hand back and forth.

Operational Safety IssuesOperational Safety Issues

Do not place hands or body parts betweenDo not place hands or body parts betweenthe tool arms, blades etc.the tool arms, blades etc.

Do not use tool if missing or broken partsDo not use tool if missing or broken partsDo not lift or drag tools by the hosesDo not lift or drag tools by the hosesDo not use the tool as a battering ramDo not use the tool as a battering ram Always stabilize and crib when liftingAlways stabilize and crib when lifting

Operational Safety IssuesOperational Safety Issues

Keep body parts out from under the objectKeep body parts out from under the objectbeing liftedbeing lifted

Do not cut hard metals with cutting tools;Do not cut hard metals with cutting tools;seat belt bolts,seat belt bolts, nadernader pins, steeringpins, steeringcolumncolumn

Never store spreaders with tips touchingNever store spreaders with tips touchingand rams completely closedand rams completely closed

Roof Flap/RemovalRoof Flap/Removal

Roof Flap/RemovalRoof Flap/Removal

Quick access/egress for patient(s)Quick access/egress for patient(s) Remove windshieldRemove windshieldOnly three cuts on each sideOnly three cuts on each sideMultiple tools make a quick jobMultiple tools make a quick job

Roof Flap/RemovalRoof Flap/Removal

Cover the patient and remove all glassCover the patient and remove all glass Cut ACut A--postpost Cut BCut B--postpost Cut a relief cut in front of CCut a relief cut in front of C--postpost Lift roof while creasing the crown withLift roof while creasing the crown with

board/pike poleboard/pike pole Secure the roofSecure the roof Cover posts with hose sectionsCover posts with hose sections

Roof Flap/RemovalRoof Flap/Removal

Avoid hatchbacksAvoid hatchbacks–– Closed hatch means compressed pistonsClosed hatch means compressed pistons–– Secure with duct tapeSecure with duct tape–– Avoid cutting pistonsAvoid cutting pistons

Cut the rear posts while supporting roofCut the rear posts while supporting roof Remove section out of action areaRemove section out of action area

Roof Flap/RemovalRoof Flap/Removal

Hand toolsHand tools–– Remove plastic, rubber and aluminum trimRemove plastic, rubber and aluminum trim–– Use hacksaw parallel to postUse hacksaw parallel to post–– Keep lubricated while cuttingKeep lubricated while cutting

Roof Flap/RemovalRoof Flap/Removal

Hydraulic cuttersHydraulic cutters–– Make cut in lower middle of postMake cut in lower middle of post–– Avoid seat belt areasAvoid seat belt areas–– Avoid beefed up intersections of roofAvoid beefed up intersections of roof